Today, Sophie stands among the most trusted and resourceful members of the Royal Family. She has taken on vital duties since King Charles III’s ascension. This month, the Duchess of Edinburgh represented the Crown in Bosnia during the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.
Before mastering royal etiquette, Sophie faced the challenge of meeting the family. In his biography Sophie, royal author Sean Smith described her first visit to Windsor Castle while dating Prince Edward. According to him, Queen Elizabeth’s first impression was, “You wouldn’t notice her in the crowd.” While the remark seemed sharp, it carried hidden praise.
Edward’s valet Brian advised Sophie on avoiding common faux pas before the meeting. Many guests made the mistake of placing fruit into the water bowl meant for washing hands.
Sophie drove her old Fiat Panda to the palace instead of arriving in a chauffeured car. She expected to dine in a large room far from the Queen, but the lunch took place in a small room, placing her close to the monarch. Edward introduced her, and the handshake and curtsy ended in moments.
Lunch went smoothly without any blunders. Smith compared the experience to visiting the dentist—less frightening than expected and rewarding once over. Sophie later met the Queen in a relaxed setting with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The ice broke, and a connection began to grow.
Smith explained that Elizabeth’s “you wouldn’t notice her” comment worked to Sophie’s advantage. Unlike Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, who drew constant tabloid attention, Sophie’s discretion allowed her to build a dependable image.
Public interest in the romance grew, sparking wedding rumors. In 1993, Edward wrote to editors denying any wedding plans and asking for privacy. He proposed in 1998, and they married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in June 1999.
Over the years, Sophie became the Queen’s favorite daughter-in-law. She supported the monarch after Prince Philip’s death in 2021. When the Queen died, Sophie and Edward said her passing left “an unimaginable void.”
Sophie has remained central to the monarchy during family controversies and royal health challenges. She supports more than 70 charities, advocating for causes like ending sexual violence in war and raising awareness of sight loss—her passion stemming from her daughter’s esotropia diagnosis.
Since becoming Duchess of Edinburgh in March 2023, Sophie’s style has flourished. She embraces bold colors, floral patterns, and coordinated hats. Stylist Martine Alexander praises her for knowing her identity and wearing colors that highlight her natural glow.
